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Physicians as parents

Parenting experiences of physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador

Pamela Snow, MD CCFP FCFP
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland

Alison Edwards, MSc
At the time of the study Ms Edwards Medical researcher in the Division of Community Health and Humanities and is Director of the Canadian Heart Health Database Centre at Memorial University of Newfoundland

Correspondence: Dr Parsons, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Discipline of Family Medicine, Family Practice Unit, Prince Philip Dr, Unit 300, St John’s, NL A1B 3V6; telephone 709 777-6070; e-mailwparsons{at}mun.ca

OBJECTIVE To investigate the experiences of physicians as parents and to see if there were any differences in the parenting challenges perceived by male and female physicians.

DESIGN Mailed survey.

SETTING Newfoundland and Labrador.

PARTICIPANTS The survey was mailed to 180 male and 180 female licensed physicians, with a response rate of 60% (N = 216).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported experiences of being a parent and a physician.

RESULTS Female physicians reported spending significantly more time on child care activities and domestic activities than their male counterparts did (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the number of professional hours between the 2 sexes, but income was significantly lower for female physicians (P < .001). More women than men had positive physician-parent role models, although very few physicians of either sex had such role models. Female physicians reported bearing the most responsibility for the day-to-day functioning of the family; male physicians relied on their female partners to carry out the main family responsibilities. Women reported feeling guilty about their performance as mothers and as doctors. Male physicians reported regrets about the lack of time with family.

CONCLUSION Although women make up an increasing percentage of the physician work force in Canada, they still face challenges as they continue to take primary responsibility for child care and domestic activities. Women are torn between their careers and their families and sometimes feel inadequate in both roles. Male physicians regret having a lack of time with family. Strategies need to be employed in both the workplace and at home to achieve an acceptable balance between being a physician and being a parent.